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BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—-

A court of appeal election petition for Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality parliamentary seat between Arinda Gordon Cowboy Kakuuma and Odo Tayebwa will be decided upon soonest.

According to our credible source at court of appeal, the healing of the case was concluded on Dec. 07, 2016 in kampala.

The source added that the judges on the panel include justices Catherine Bamugemerire, Richard Butera and Remmy Kasule the lead judge.

Odo Tayebwa was represented by Bonefas Ngaruye Ruhindi while Arinda was represented by Alexander Kibandama.

Bushenyi Ishaka municipality a seven year old municipality has a history where in 2012, Odo Tayebwa defeated Nassar Basajabalaba in a court of appeal election petition and as well the by-election.

Odo Tayebwa lost in the Mbarara high court in the 2016 election petition but did what he did in 2012 and petitioned court of appeal. So will the luck that befell Odo Tayebwa in the court of appeal judgment 2012 be done again in 2016? Lets wait and see. Keep logged in www.mknewslink.com for the judgment.

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BY WILBER MUHWEZI AND CYNTHIA ARINDA

IN BUSHENYI.

A number of 22 academicians and civil society leaders have teamed up and written a book titled ‘controlling consent: Uganda’s 2016 election’.

Paul Turyamureeba Kahiigi, Bushenyi district FDC chairman making his presentation

The book clearly states how voters of Uganda in 2016 primary and general elections at all levels would accept money and other material things in exchange for votes. The launch was organized by Western Ankole Civil Society Forum [WASCOF] and Centre for Basic Research.

The contributors of this book include; Sabiti Makara, David Mugambe Mpiima, Moses  Khisa and Sabastiano Rwengabo, Others are Salie Samba Kayunga, J. Oloka- Onyango, Veronica Nakijoba, Prof. Josephine Ahikire, Aramanzan Madanda, Jamil Damulira Mujuzi, Levis Mugumya, Sarah N. Ssali, Richard Ssewakiryanga, Danson S Kahyana, Phiona Muhwezi Mpanga, Andrew Karamagi, Maria Nassali, James Nkuubi, Ben K. Twinomugisha, Elisam Magara and Busingye Kabumba.

Bushenyi district chairman, Jafari Basajabalaba sign launch of the book

The successful publication of this book was made possible by Democratic Governance Facility[DGF] and was launched yesterday Dec. 13, 2016 at Crane Resort hotel Ishaka by professor Josephine Ahikire on behalf of writers and center for basic Research and Bushenyi district chairman Jafari Basajjabalaba together Ankole leaders. .

Professor Ahikire in her chapter wrote that Ugandans have become beggars in their own country for they beg president Museveni as the way a child begs a parent.

Umar Muhanguzi the secretary general for NRM in Bushenyi district, told the meeting that whether voter bribery or not NRM is already preparing to win the 2021 elections using available means.

Paul Turyamureeba Kahiigi the Bushenyi district FDC party chairman who is currently challenging the election of Bushenyi district chairman Jafari Basajabalaba in the court of appeal told the meeting that Ugandans are losing hope in elections because president Museveni uses a lot of money not from his hard earned money but tax payers money.

He noted that this has resulted into severe problems in the economy because of the tririon Uganda shillings used in 2016, 2011 elections.

Umar Muhanguzi NRM secretary general for Bushenyi district telling participants at the book launch that NRM is preparing to win 2021 elections.

Relatedly, Bushenyi district has the highest number of election petitions in the court of appeal due to voter bribery and other forms of election irregularities. These cases are Micheal Mawanda Maranga versus Andrew Martial in Igara East, Odo Tayebwa versus Gordon Arinda Cow-boy  Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality and PaulTuryamureeba Kahiigi versus Jafari Basajabalaba for Bushenyi district LC5 seat.

Bushenyi district has three constituencies. Its only Igara west of Rafeal Magyezi that there was no election petition.

participants at the book launch

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BY VANANSIO KAKOGOSO

IN KABALE—

Father-Gaetano-Batanyenda

Kick corruption out of Uganda a Civil society organization based
Kabale district has started collecting signatures to appeal to
President Yoweri Museveni not to assent to amendments in the Income
Tax Amendment Bill 2016 in which Members of Parliament voted to exempt
their allowances from tax.

According to the approved budget estimates of 2016/2107 financial
year, the projected expenditure on MPs is 239,590,669,000 shillings.
Of this 178,133,905,000 shillings will be spent on Mps allowances and
61,456,764,000shiilings will be spent on Mps salaries.

Each Mp monthly earns basic salary of 2,600,000 shillings,
constituency allowances of 4,054,000shillings, subsistence allowance
of 8,580,000, Town running allowance of 1,062, 500 shillings mileage
allowances of 11,672, 000shillings and gratuity of 30% of total
earning totaling to 4,888,950 shillings.

The Chairperson Kick corruption out of Uganda Rev Fr Gaetano
Batanyenda says that the decision by the legislators is not only
immoral but unjust. He added that Ugandan legislators already earn far
more than any citizen and are as such obliged to pay taxes.

He says that by exempting themselves from paying taxes, legislators
are proving that they do not care about the welfare of the rest of the
country.  He adds that payment of taxes should be a responsibility of
every citizen, specifically those holding positions of leadership.

The Mayor Kabale Municipality, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha says that
the public needs to hold a peaceful demonstration to express their
dismay on the decision by Mps.

The bill has been returned to parliament by the President, for the
second time.  According to Article 91(5) of the Constitution, when the
President returns the Bill twice and it is passed for a third time by
parliament, with the support of at least two thirds of MPs, the
Speaker causes a copy of the Bill to be laid before Parliament and the
Bill shall become law without the assent of the President.

BY CHRISPIN KAHERU IN GHANA

OBSERVING ELECTIONS ON BEHALF OF CCEDU UGANDA

After generally peaceful polls yesterday, 7 December, Ghanaians now await the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections.  Indicative results should be out in a few hours.  The National Collation Center (National Tally Center) is currently on a low level of activity as I write this (which is fairly understandable – it is just 6:00am in Accra).

While yesterday was generally calm and organised, a few incidents were registered:

Cases of counterfeiting EC poll agents’ accreditation cards by ruling NDC party agents;

Illegal possession of fire ammunition within confines of a polling station by (NPP) opposition party agents in Ashanti region;

Delay of arrival of materials in Jaman North Constituency, Brong Ahafo region – which almost led to the cancellation of the polls in that constituency; and

Attempts by youth groups to snatch ballot boxes in Suntreso, Ashanti region.

Despite the pre-election tensions and anxieties, security agencies acted in a coordinated manner to ensure a sense of security during the polls – especially in Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and Nothern regions, which were regarded as key election flash points.

The media has for the first time in Ghana’s history of elections been allowed to do live coverage of the results as they come in at the National Collation Center in Accra.  Media houses across the country are also airing provisional results as announced at different polling stations and constituency collation centers.

Ghana EC has revealed its intentions to collaborate with other actors that are engaged in Parallel Vote Tabulation.

Ghanaians now wait with bated breath to see how this very hotly contested election (between incumbent president/NDC, John Dramani Mahama and opposition/NPP Nana Akufo Ado) turns out.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—

Leaders and citizens from Bushenyi district Tuesday approved a proposed bill that is aimed at stopping use of huge sums of money in political campaigns in a process of electing political leaders into office.

The approval was made Tuesday Nov. 29, 2016 at Katungu mothers’ union hall in Bushenyi town.

Odo Tayebwa former Bushenyi-Ishaka MP speaking at the dialogue

The proposed private members bill is expected to be presented on the floor of Uganda’s parliament soon according to the national coordinator of Alliance for election campaign finance monitoring, Mr. Henry Muguzi.

During a half day meeting held at Katungu mothers’ union hall in Bushenyi town, parliamentary and local leaders noted that it was appropriate to have the law.

Paul Kahiigi[standing] Umar Muhanguzi and others at the meeting.

Paul Turyamureeba Kahiigi, the former candidate for Bushenyi district chairmanship who is currently in the court of appeal tussling it out with Jafari Basajabalaba noted that its NRM party leaders that are monitorizing elections.

Deputy Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality deputy mayor Lawrence Baryaruha[standing] Bushenyi DPC Katwesiime and others at the diologue

Odo Tayebwa the loser in Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality parliamentary seat told the meeting in order one to win a parliamentary seat, he/she needs one billion Uganda shillings and the total emoluments from parliament five years is the same amount.

political analyst Dagalous Rwamutojo and FDC’S Baker matsiko listening to speakers at the diologue

He noted that what happens is that MPS who spent heavily resort to demanding bribes from permanent secretaries and chief administrative officers and any other accounting officers to survive and promise them friendly reports.

The half day dialogue was organized by western Ankole civil society forum [WACSOF] operating in Ankole with support from Alliance for election campaign finance monitoring [ACFIM]

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BY OUR WRITER

The coordinator Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) has challenged President Yoweri Museveni over the appointment of Justice Simon M. Byabakama as the chairman Electoral Commission.

In his detailed statement, Crispin Kaheru says that EC members are not yet appointed until successfully vetted by Parliament – under the current laws.

In verbatim the writer quotes. “I think what Ugandans will continue to ask themselves is how consultative and inclusive the process of appointing the EC was; given the sentiments around the inclusivity of the process that have been raised by different quotas.

Various key interest stakeholders – both state and non-state would have very much wanted to be part of the consultative processes, leading up to the identification of the new EC, albeit the current laws.

Some of the nominees have been in the public domain for a while now. We may want to give them an opportunity to rock this boat – the EC, possibly to the benefit and satisfaction of Uganda. However, we should not forget that the framework, within which they will work- if/when they are approved by Parliament, is not different from that within which Kiggundu and his team worked. We are therefore likely to see the new EC challenged by the same structural and institutional gaps that the past commission grappled with.

For us to clean the “stage” for them, there is need for comprehensive electoral reforms that civil society, political parties and all other stakeholders have called for, for quite a while now. What these reforms will do, is to strengthen the institutional framework of the EC to effectively deliver on its mandated without any form of pressures.

Only then will we be able to objectively assess their performance. As it is now, it might be merely, a case of putting new wine in old wineskins.”

By Elly Katahinga

in Ntungamo

The Kajara county Member of parliament Hon Michael Timuzigu Kamugisha has said locals need not to trust government and wait for it to implement local projects like access  roads and schools as this may take long while they suffer.

Mr. Timuzigu says while government is entrusted in providing for is citizenry, in most cases it fails due to poor prioritization a reason residents need to come up and work on their own for success of their projects especially those that affect their livelihood that government may have delayed.

He was speaking on Monday at the launch of the county community work project where he engages communities and local leaders to implement their own projects that facilitate them to get put of poverty and facilitate markets access.

He said local projects can only aid locals in production, saving and marketing if done well, and with that individual involvement, they are sustainable because everyone feels they should not be destroyed. He however blamed government for failure to plan on local demands only coming up with projects that end up pushing locals to poverty further.

The Mp together with several district leaders including the district vice chairperson Ms. Sakina Ampeire Imamu, Bwongyera sub county chairperson Mr. James Tinkamanyire and many local council heads and several locals opened Nyamunuka- Karumuna road and constructed a culvert bridge in Kyaruhuga parish. The bridge and the road had been cut off by heavy rains.

End.

BY ELLY KARENZI 

IN IBANDA 

 FDC President, Dr. Col. Kiiza Besigye  visited his supporters in Ibanda where he paralyzed businesses to stand still as he had gone for a fundraising drive for FDC party offices which will be erected soon in Ibanda municipality council. He was escorted by heavy security and his FDC supporters remained calm till the rally ended successfully.

Dr. Besigye who arrived at Kitwe Saza play ground at 4.10pm, addressed his supporters where he cited out contradicting votes entries by Electoral Commission tally sheets. He told his supporters that he won the election with 52%,but was cheated. He told his supporters that he has come to thank them for voting for him, but the elections results were rigged, and he was arrested together with Mr. Muntu Mugisha from the FDC party headquarters on 19.2.2016. He told them that he was jailed in his home for 30 days, so that Mr. Yoweri Museveni should be sworn in. He explained that was arrested that  and not allowed to take the matters to court  to  challenge the results and instead was sent in jail and could not put in his petetion to courts of law.

He said Mr. Museveni has been in power for over 30 years,and therefore Uganda has not realized its targeted goals for several years. He cited  the closing of Makerere University after parents have sold off their land, property, while others received loans from  the commercial Banks,others even sold the old iron sheets from their houses to pay fees for their sons and daughters, but the year has been eaten by “locusts” and the students were sent home because  their lectures staged strikes as they were demanding their money for the last eight years.

“It is my understanding that Mr. Museveni should ask retirement and hand over the government to youth and o to Rwakitura to look after his cows” Dr. Besigye told his supporters who clapped and said who is killing Uganda;s education.

In a move to promote education in Uganda at a reasonable price, instead education is becoming too expensive, Dr. Besigye pointed out by citing that all lectures at Makerere University have not received the money. He posed a question that supposing Mr. Museveni goes back to school at this time, will he manage to meet  fees which can not be affordable to peasants. He said that the father of Mr. Museveni the late Kaguta in olden days could sell a cow and paid fees, but theses days it is becoming too expensive.

He said some unscrupulous thieves have embezzled and misused the public funds that end up in their stomachs.”But on our parts as FDC party members we have been trying on our part to point such mistakes a eye opened. He asked his supporters to fight hard in developing Uganda before 2021 and exposing the names of government workers who embezzle the public funds.

BY WILBER MUHWEZI

IN BUSHENYI—

IGARA West Member of parliament Rapheal Magyezi over the weekend revealed that speaker of Uganda’s parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has given him a go ahead to table a private member’s to create a tea development authority.

He noted that other crops like coffee, cotton and others have authorities that manage well their operations but tea doesnot have an authority to cater for its operations.

MP Magyezi made these remarks to www.mknewslink.com editor at Kyamuhunga sub-county headquarters during the official launch of kyamuhunga town.

He said that his town council has five functional tea factories; Igara growers tea factory, Global Village Tea factory, Kyamuhunga tea company, Macklords tea factory and Africano’s tea factory.

The chairman LC111 Kyamuhunga sub-county, Mr. Ignatius Musoke noted that other three tea factories are in offing to make them eight.

Magyezi noted that with the massive distribution of tea seedlings to farmers by operation wealth creation[OWC], there is need for an authority to regulate and manage tea in Uganda.

“The speaker of parliament has given a go ahead that as soon as parliament resumes from recess, I table the tea development authority bill as private member’s bill” Magyezi affirmed.

Ninety percent of tea produced in Uganda is auctioned in Mombasa and taken to Asian and European countries. Only 10% is consumed locally according to researchers on tea.

After making a law that puts in place a tea development authority presumably operations and management of tea will be better.

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